What do I wear when teaching?

[larngt]

I was wondering if someone can tell me what I am required to wear when teaching? Do I wear business attire? It would be very hot in Summer, so I wonder.

Have always learnt that one should wear to the interview what you would typically wear on the job. But I don't agree with this.

[Brian]

Not sure which country you are enquiring about, but from the Taiwan and China perspectives I would say that a suit would be overdressing unless you were interviewing for corporate classes or to be a professor at a university.

Assuming that you will be working in a private English school, then I would recommend smart casual. Of course if you feel comfortable in and look good in a suit then that's great as you can never overdress, but you will probably find that you are the only one in a suit and you will no doubt be dressed more formally than the person interviewing you, or anyone in the office for that matter.

Suits in Asia - as far as English teachers go anyway - are best saved for weddings and funerals.

[Margy]

Definitely depends on the type of school you teach in. If it's a typical Language school run by the owners and teaching students from babies to retirees, then a nice polo shirt and slacks would be best.

On the first day, I would always recommend a buttoned shirt and slacks for both men and women. You never know, if you're a woman and required to sit on the floor then a dress would definitely be no good.

After talking to other staff and seeing what they wear, you can then alter your dress code.

[Margy]

Oh yeh, forgot to mention - DO make sure you wear closed shoes. No-one wants to see your ingrown toe nails...

[Sammy]

Neat casual for me too. Though, when I do teach business classes in the evening, I do wear tie and shirt.

[rajat.pay]

Well, most interviews always suggest come formal, very true after that hardly do people suggest a dress code while teaching, but i would say wear anything you are comfortable in and can move around without feeling conscious about your moves, and decent casuals should do the trick.

[reviewer]

Another vote for formal for the interview, but dress like the rest of the staff on the job. Overdressing can make it difficult for you to integrate and fit in, but when it comes to first impressions, conservative is best.

[rwall7943]

I would have to agree, neat casual would be the most appropate. You want to be comfortable, but not blend the the students, and go too casual. Closed shoes is a must, most schools have that rule anyway.

[reviewer]

Hopefully, when you first visit the school, you can make adaptations. It's important to fit in with the other teachers. As said above, you definitely do not want to look like a student, but you also don't want to alienate your peers among the teachers.

[LeslieW]

Originally Posted by larngt

I was wondering if someone can tell me what I am required to wear when teaching? Do I wear business attire? It would be very hot in Summer, so I wonder.

Have always learnt that one should wear to the interview what you would typically wear on the job. But I don't agree with this.

Interviews is always business attire, the more professional you look the better the impression.

What you wear to teach in Japan varies. I wear clean, no rips/tears blue jeans and t-shirt in summer, add a sweater in winter. Others have to wear a uniform, suit/tie or ladies black pants/skirt and white shirt. There is no set standard.